The body of an Indiana Marine has finally made it home after being killed nearly 70 years ago during the U.S. invasion of some Japanese islands in World War II.

Sources say that 20-year-old Marine Pfc. Manley Forrest Winkley suffered lethal injuries while engaged in combat on November 20, 1943 on the first day of the Tarawa Island Atoll invasion in the Pacific Gilbert Islands. After seven decades, the man’s remains made their way home to Indianapolis late last week.

Reports indicate that a military funeral procession travelled 63 miles from Nashville, Indiana to the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery located in Madison.

Family members of the deceased say they are happy he has finally received a proper burial.

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